Page 88 of Stay Scared

Rook closes the warning. The countdown returns.

04:06:48.

“You have until dawn to decide how much evidence Mark is worth.”

The theater feed shrinks into the corner. I turn away from it.

The network belongs to Rook. The current routes belong to Rook. Every camera and electronic lock we have tried has given him another way to anticipate us. So I stop thinking about the building they operate now.

“I need the original property plans.”

Owen follows my line of sight toward the paper map spread across the rear desk.

“The pre-renovation plans?”

“Anything Rook knew before this network existed. Service routes, mechanical access, founder paths.”

“I have them.”

“And I want the master key.”

The room stays quiet for a beat. Cade looks at Ash’s chest. Owen does too. Ash looks at me.

“What does it open?” I ask.

“Founder locks. Mechanical control boxes. Original access panels.”

“Then I’m carrying it.”

The refusal reaches his face before he speaks.

“You have never operated any part of this property.”

“And Rook has spent years learning how you do.”

“He also knows those locks.”

“He knows which one you’ll choose first.”

That is the point. Rook knows Ash. He knows Owen’s systems. He knows Cade’s instincts. He has spent years learning how the three of them respond inside this building. He has never watched me operate it because I never have.

Ash steps closer. The console remains between us, but he closes enough of the distance that it barely matters.

“That key is the last mechanical authority on this property.”

His voice is low and meant only for me. I hold his stare.

“And he knows you’ll protect it.”

Cade shifts to my side, but I keep looking at Ash.

“He knew you would keep control in your own hands until there was nothing left to control.”

Ash reaches beneath his shirt. The movement pulls his collar aside, revealing a black cord around his neck and the edge of dark steel. He draws the master key out slowly. The Decay Brigade gate is engraved near its base. The cord catches briefly against the back of his neck before he pulls it over his head.

He keeps the key closed inside his fist.

“This opens every original founder panel still connected to the park.”